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YouGamers.com News Bethesda Acquires Fallout IP

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By: Joe Topolnisky Apr 13, 2007

Bethesda Acquires Fallout IP

In a SEC filing by Interplay yesterday, it's revealed that Bethesda Softworks has acquired the complete IP rights to the Fallout franchise for a whopping $5.75 million. Being paid in installments, the final transaction will be completed in the third quarter of 2007. The deal also gives Interplay the licensing rights for their upcoming Fallout MMO, but they will have to fork over 12% in royalties to Bethesda. Anyways, here's the official word:

As of April 4, 2007, the Company entered into, an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "APA") and a Trademark License Agreement (the "License Back") with Bethesda Softworks LLC, a video game developer and publisher ("Bethesda"), regarding "FALLOUT", an intellectual property which was owned by the Company (the "IP"). Although such agreements were signed on April 4, 2007 they were agreed not to be binding until closing which occurred on April 9, 2007.

Under the APA, the Company sold all of its rights to the IP to Bethesda for a total amount of $5,750,000.00 payable to the Company, subject to various conditions, in three cash installments. The first installment of $2,000,000.00 was paid following closing when $200,000.00 was paid to the Company and $1,800,000.00 was deposited into an escrow account to satisfy various liabilities. The Company expects to have fulfilled its obligations under the APA and to receive full payment during the third quarter of 2007. The Company had previously, on June 29, 2004, entered into, an exclusive licensing agreement with Bethesda, regarding the IP which was superseded by the APA.

Under the License Back the Company obtained an exclusive license, under certain conditions, to use the IP for the purpose of developing an Interplay branded Fallout Massively Multiplayer Online Game ("MMOG").

As you may already know, Bethesda licensed the IP back in 2004 and are currently working on Fallout 3. Well, I guess they're in the drivers seat now! It'll be interesting to see where they take the franchise. :)

Thanks Dave!

Update: The FiringSquad has caught up with Bethesda Softworks' Pete Hines to find out more about the deal. They don't really learn anything new, but it's official comments from the company. So I guess it's noteworthy.


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